Local dining among main courses at IdeaFest

The tasty part of the IdeaFestival, Taste of Innovation, will present samples from the best of area chefs, brewmasters, distillers and bartenders from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Churchill Downs' Millionaires Row 4.

The $35 entrance ticket will allow unlimited browsing, munching and sipping, as well as the chance to observe demonstrations by chefs and "mixologists."

The emphasis will be on local foods and beverages, with participation by Heaven Hill Distillery, Heine Brothers Coffee, Rooibee Red Tea, Four Roses Bourbon, VINT coffee, Woodford Reserve and Louisville Pure Tap.

Restaurants serving up their most innovative dishes will be Corbett's, Harvest, Lilly's Bistro, Mayan Cafe, North End Cafe, The Silver Dollar, The Comfy Cow and others.

A silent auction during the event will benefit the IdeaFestival Scholarship Fund and the featured charity partner, WaterStep (formerly Edge Outreach).